Privilege or right?

Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
During a discussion last night about the life of a modern veterinary surgeon in a mixed practice my son's lovely girlfriend, who is a vet, made the statement "owning pets/animals is a privelege not a right". It stopped me in my tracks really! I have never, ever considered pet ownership in either way.
I have been thinking about it this afternoon, and am quite perplexed! I think perhaps that like many people I have had animals in some shape or form all my life and probably take doing so for granted.
I just wondered what everyone else thinks!

Pee Ess, have I spelt privelege correctly?
 
Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
I looked up the meaning of the word privilege (note spelling @Selina27 😉) and I do agree with this definition in relation to owning a dog

‘privilege (rather formal) something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do’

So I agree with her really. Only having my own dog later in life (Sky then Red), I do feel proud and lucky to have the opportunity to have her….but I also agree with @kateincornwall - they are a big responsibility and her welfare is my number one priority
 
HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
I agree with this too - I often reflect how privileged I am to be able to afford keeping the dogs, access good vet care, do my own research to make decisions on their behalf, have access to good walks and safe outdoor space, power and choice to have a degree of flexibility in my life to fit round the dogs and the way I want to live with them.

And I’d absolutely agree it’s not a right. But I’m not sure many people would argue that it is, so maybe it’s a redundant argument? Also I can never spell privilege without looking it up.
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
edzbird said:
I don't believe it is a right to have children.
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My thoughts about dogs overlap on children.

If you are adopting a dog or a child, you have to prove you will be responsible enough to look after them, have the right kind of house/garden etc.

It riles me greatly people who "have" children or dogs and don't provide them with their basic needs. I appreciate some people fall on tough times, but it's the lack of planning and understanding of the reality of adding to your family......

I don't think owning a dog, or having a child, is a "right", apologies if I offend anyone by saying so.
 
Candy

Candy

Biscuit Tin Guardian
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't want a dog. I loved dogs from being a small child ( my grandparents had one) and longed to have one, but wasn't allowed, for all the right reasons ( everyone out at work/school all day, we wouldn't be able to give it enough walks/time/attention etc). My mother used to say 'When you have your own home and earn enough to pay vet's bills and have time to give a dog the training, walks and attention it needs, then you can decide for yourself whether to have one.' It took me until I was nearing thirty to be in this position and since then I've only been without a dog for brief (and sad) 'in between dogs' periods. For this reason I consider it a great privilege to have a dog, and count myself very lucky to be in a position to be able to do so.
 
Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
Candy said:
My mother used to say 'When you have your own home and earn enough to pay vet's bills and have time to give a dog the training, walks and attention it needs, then you can decide for yourself whether to have one.'
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This is exactly what my mum used to say. Always being out for long periods of the day meant no dog for me despite my children also very much wanting one. The answer always had to be no because it would not be right to leave a dog for the amount of time we were out at work/school. I’m not surprised that as soon as they were in the position to look after a dog properly, they both got one
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
Interesting.
We always had dogs as a family growing up, but my Mum didn't work so was at home most of the time. I think in those days most people had a good understanding of dogs needs and I grew up with that knowledge so I suppose that's part of my taking pet ownership for granted. I don't think I have a "right" to have them, but apparently some people feel that they do. Which I find surprising.

The one area I feel dog ownership differs from having children is that as parents of healthy children you are bringing up the next generation to be independent individuals and care for themselves, some thing our four legged friends can never do. Therefore we have to provide for their needs of food, water, exercise and activity twenty four hours a day for maybe 15 or so years, and be prepared to make sometimes painful decisions regarding their health and welfare, when they can't give consent themselves.
 
Jen

Jen

Location
Darlington,UK
Oh I 100% think owning a pet is a privilege, especially a dog.

For us, we need to be able to afford a dog walker to have Stanley. We also need to have family to help us out - for example we’re in the process of getting a new kitchen and Stanley’s been going to his nannas a lot.

It’s also the reason we know we probably won’t be able to get another dog for a good few years until we have more time to dedicate because right now we just don’t. And that wouldn’t be fair.

It’s the same with children and part of the reason why I only have 1.
 
Granca

Granca

Atemas said:
I looked up the meaning of the word privilege (note spelling @Selina27 😉) and I do agree with this definition in relation to owning a dog

‘privilege (rather formal) something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do’
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Yes, ’proud’ and ‘lucky’ definitely apply to owning a dog! I don’t think it can be a ‘right’, as rights bring responsibility and not everyone can commit to that long-term.
 
MrChew

MrChew

Jen said:
Oh I 100% think owning a pet is a privilege, especially a dog.

For us, we need to be able to afford a dog walker to have Stanley. We also need to have family to help us out - for example we’re in the process of getting a new kitchen and Stanley’s been going to his nannas a lot.

It’s also the reason we know we probably won’t be able to get another dog for a good few years until we have more time to dedicate because right now we just don’t. And that wouldn’t be fair.

It’s the same with children and part of the reason why I only have 1.
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Yes, we would love a second dog but we just aren't quite there. I'm working exclusively from home now though so maybe soon. 🤣 Though I do still get the dog walker to take Chewie out when I do full days though as it's still not fair for him to sit around watching me work all day.
 
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